Don’t book your package holiday until THIS date due to new government regulations

Package holidays: Don’t book until July 1 due to new government regulations

Package holidays are a popular choice for British tourists wanting to take the stress out of booking their next trip.

With flights and hotels combined in one booking, it can make it easier when planning a holiday with the family.

What many Britons may not realise is that they are often not protected when booking a holiday through a third party provider.

Despite the Package Travel Regulations that were brought into place in the 1990’s, this didn’t apply to package holiday providers.

New government legislation coming into effect from July 1 is about to change this for the better for consumers.

This means that problems abroad such as illness or flight cancellations will be directly dealt with them

Travel litigation expert Anthony Hey from Hudgell Solicitors explained to Liverpool Echo how travellers are caught out with the current package holiday laws.

He said: “When you begin to dig into your agreements, you can find the website which you used to arrange your holiday has no responsibility for any cancelled flights, the transport to your accommodation not turning up, or the defective hotel premises which maybe lead to injuries.”

New regulations within the new Package Travel Directive mean the third party providers will no longer be able to hide behind this in their terms and conditions.

A package holiday, that is any company that sells at least two travel services, will be subject to the new regulations.

This means that problems abroad such as illness or flight cancellations will be directly dealt with them.

Package holidays: All-inclusive trips are not currently protected under the same laws

Joanne Brine, partner at JMW Solicitors told bt.com: “Should anything happen while you’re on holiday – such as an accident or injury on hotel property – subsequent claims will be more straightforward to deal with, since the operator you booked with will hold liability if travel services aren’t provided with reasonable skill and care.”

This means travellers will not have to deal with foreign services that may not be straightforward or in English.

It also provides protection against flight problems such as “weather conditions or industrial action”.

However, certain holiday bookings are still not protected by the new rules.

Anyone booking different parts of their holidays through different providers will not be protected.

Package holidays: Booking through providers will be protected from next month

For example, if booking flights and hotel with different package providers, the protection will not be the same.

The cheapest package holidays this year can be found in Spain, with Costa Brava one of the best value for the summer.

Malta, Turkey and Bulgaria also made the list as some of the best options for an affordable all-inclusive package holiday.

To save the pennies, last-minute deals can often be the best option as package holidays try to book up the remaining spots.

Changing the departure airport can also make it cheaper for British sun-seekers.